Bhubaneswar: The special task force (STF) of Odisha Crime Branch seized one leopard skin from the possession of a wildlife criminal during a raid in Gunupur area of Rayagada district on Sunday.
On the basis of reliable information regarding dealing/ possession of wildlife products by wildlife criminals, a team of STF conducted a raid yesterday with the help of Gunupur Forest Officials on NH 326 near Bangi junction, Ramanguda under Gunupur Police Station.
As a result, one wildlife criminal namely Jayanta Bibar of Bandipanka under Chandrapur Police Station in Rayagada was apprehended. During the search, one leopard skin and other incriminating materials were recovered from his possession.
Bibar could not produce any authority in support of the possession of such leopard skin, for which he was detained and handed over to Gunupur Forest Officials under Rayagada Forest Division for necessary legal action on their end.
Special drive against the wildlife criminals/poachers is continuing. Since 2020, STF has seized as many as 29 leopard skins, 24 elephant tusks, seven deer skins, 14 live pangolins, 30 kg 400 gm of pangolin scales, two leopard teeth, 29 leopard claws, 46 live wild parrots with the arrest of 70 wildlife criminals.
